CFL (Non-Bombers) off-season news

[VictorRomano]

That's nuts. No reciever is worth that. Big contract extensions usually lead to : i) fall off in expected productivity or ii) injury, either way, its nuts. League is trying to remain solvent and teams doing this, perfect.

I bet that Hamilton will sell half a mil worth of Lawler jerseys alone over the next 3 years.....If Hamilton's pricing scheme is anything like Winnipeg (almost $250 for a customized jersey), that's only 2000 jerseys....roughly 700 per year.

[Tecno]

What did Kenny leave here for?  Wasn't it already $300k?  $275k?  So $333 avg really isn't much more.  And they lock him down.

I think Kenny will do well, like '25 well.  But we've seen there are ways to shut him down, and he no longer catches everything sent his way.  Kenny did absolutely nothing vs us in '25.

I actually think WPG in '24 used him more intelligently than HAM has.  They always go for the deep bomb.  We created all these quicker crossers & corners for him that were very successful.

[TBURGESS]

That's crazy money for any receiver.

[Jesse]

That's crazy money for any receiver.

With cap increases, it's probably the same percentage as any of his other contracts. It's certainly not the only 300+ contract in the league right now.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

With cap increases, it's probably the same percentage as any of his other contracts. It's certainly not the only 300+ contract in the league right now.

Read somewhere this makes the 3rd time Lawler has become the highest paid non-QB in the CFL, rare bird, who else in the league is making over $300k? 

I always felt FG kickers were underpaid, other than the QB they effect the outcome of games more than any other player.

[Tecno]

I always felt FG kickers were underpaid, other than the QB they effect the outcome of games more than any other player.

Except you can still play & win with garbage K's.  You just go for it on 3rd a whole lot (or punt) until you get to the 25.  We've actually seen this a couple of times in the last few seasons on various teams.

Certainly not ideal though!

[Blue In BC]

Ottawa has not committed to D. Brown as their starting QB. Maier is starting the last pre season game, which in itself does not mean a complete decision.

That said, if they choose Maier to be their starter does that make Brown a trade asset. Obviously that would hurt overall depth but their could be friction created on the team.

Which teams can absorb Brown's SMS while making him a # 2 QB and what do they have to give up to get him?

[theaardvark]

If you have 2 starting calibre QB's that fit under your cap, why would you even consider trading one?  Unless you have an extremely concerning issue at a position, and there is a league leading player available in exchange for your "spare" QB, that would never make sense.  Unless, of course, you have a QB3 that is developing into a potential QB1 and you have a PR QB4 that is also promising.

Especially with the QB injuries we have seen in recent years, you can't give up such an advantage.  Remember, only 6 teams get into the playoffs this year

[Blue In BC]

If you have 2 starting calibre QB's that fit under your cap, why would you even consider trading one?  Unless you have an extremely concerning issue at a position, and there is a league leading player available in exchange for your "spare" QB, that would never make sense.  Unless, of course, you have a QB3 that is developing into a potential QB1 and you have a PR QB4 that is also promising.

Especially with the QB injuries we have seen in recent years, you can't give up such an advantage.  Remember, only 6 teams get into the playoffs this year

You asked and answered your own question. While I'm not a fan of MBT, he might be signed for less than $200K as a # 2 and be happy as a # 2. Brown is probably #350K and expects to be # 1. I don't think Brown would create an intentional problem, but think about what happened in Edmonton last year with Ford. Also noting that Brown has become injury prone to boot.

If you could trade Brown for a top starting player under those circumstances, it's worth a consideration. I don't know Ottawa will do that, but I could understand if they did.

Did you forget that we acquired Collaros in trade. Obviously keeping 2 top QB's is a good situation if you can. OTOH strengthening the team elsewhere is also a good thing. I'm not overly impressed with Maier or their back ups but I also don't see them at practice.

[theaardvark]

You asked and answered your own question. While I'm not a fan of MBT, he might be signed for less than $200K as a # 2 and be happy as a # 2. Brown is probably #350K and expects to be # 1. I don't think Brown would create an intentional problem, but think about what happened in Edmonton last year with Ford. Also noting that Brown has become injury prone to boot.

If you could trade Brown for a top starting player under those circumstances, it's worth a consideration. I don't know Ottawa will do that, but I could understand if they did.

Did you forget that we acquired Collaros in trade. Obviously keeping 2 top QB's is a good situation if you can. OTOH strengthening the team elsewhere is also a good thing. I'm not overly impressed with Maier or their back ups but I also don't see them at practice.

If Maier wins the competition, and Brown is injury prone, having Maier as your starter with Brown in reserve sounds optimal.  Likewise, if Brown wins, but is injury prone, you want Maier there in case.

Maier seems to be a guy teams will put hope into, until they don't.  Surprised he's only 29, same age as Brown.  Seems like he's been around longer than that.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Except you can still play & win with garbage K's.  You just go for it on 3rd a whole lot (or punt) until you get to the 25.  We've actually seen this a couple of times in the last few seasons on various teams.

Certainly not ideal though!

The overall caliber of FG kickers is probably higher than it's ever been, not any team I know willing to hang onto below average producers. Case of Lauther and Lewis Ward, one bad season and they're on the ropes.

[Jesse]

Maier has been announced as the starter.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Maier has been announced as the starter.

No panic, it will all work out and each will get numerous chances under Dinwiddie. For a brief moment in time Justin Goltz was declared the starter!

[Blue In BC]

If Maier wins the competition, and Brown is injury prone, having Maier as your starter with Brown in reserve sounds optimal.  Likewise, if Brown wins, but is injury prone, you want Maier there in case.

Maier seems to be a guy teams will put hope into, until they don't.  Surprised he's only 29, same age as Brown.  Seems like he's been around longer than that.

Ottawa has decided that Maier is the starting QB in 2026. Having Brown in reserve is optimal but so was my suggestion of a trade situation.

QB's change teams all the time one way or another. Could say the same about Maier moving to Ottawa. Ford to Hamilton and so on.

The biggest example might be V. Adams to Calgary last year. I can't remember what the Lions got in return but now have to play against him.

[TBURGESS]

Question... why would Ottawa trade Brown? To get a lesser QB in return? Doesn't make sense.